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The Role of Induction Therapy for Sinonasal Cancers

  • Head and Neck Cancer (AJ Rosenberg, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Opinion statement

The role of induction chemotherapy in sinonasal cancers is promising; however, prospective studies with higher grades of evidence are needed. With the currently available literature, the authors would advocate for the use of induction chemotherapy (IC) in locally advanced sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (T3–T4) for organ preservation and potentially for improved survival outcomes. In sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), IC should be considered in all patients given its tendency for aggressive invasion and poor outcomes. In SNUC, response to IC may direct the modality of definitive treatment to follow. In responders (partial or complete), chemoradiation therapy should be strongly considered. In non-responders or in those with progression of disease, surgical therapy is favored. For esthesioneuroblastoma, surgical resection with negative margins and adjuvant radiation therapy remains the gold standard. However, IC may be considered for locally advanced disease especially with orbital invasion or in recurrent/distant disease. There is no definite indication for IC in sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma or sinonasal adenocarcinoma. Recommendations are summarized in Table 1.

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References and Recommended Reading

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA

    Keonho A. Kong MD

  2. Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA

    Brian D. Thorp MD

  3. Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Houpt Building, 3rd Floor, 170 Manning Drive, CB# 7305, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Siddharth H. Sheth DO, MPH

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Correspondence to Siddharth H. Sheth DO, MPH.

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Kong, K.A., Thorp, B.D. & Sheth, S.H. The Role of Induction Therapy for Sinonasal Cancers. Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol. 24, 162–169 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-022-01046-z

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